Method and apparatus for quay container crane-based automated optical container code recognition with positional idenfication

ABSTRACT

A method and system for a quay container crane with container code recognition of a container identified by a container code with container positional identification is disclosed. The system and method are capable of performing these tasks without the use of non-standard container tagging.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to automated container code recognition onquay container cranes as used in loading and unloading cargo containersfrom ships.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the marine shipping industry, the expected annual containertraffic growth is from 4.7% to 7.6%. Container terminals are faced withthe challenge of maintaining the inventory control for these escalatingnumbers of containers. The input, ouput and storage of containers atthese terminals must provide an efficiency level that is at leastconsistent with, or exceeds, past performance.

[0003] Present and future growth levels have compelled terminalmanagement companies to look for new systems to bring about moreefficient resource control and as a consequence, provide a moreprofitable operation.

[0004] Shipping companies wish to reduce the time a ship spends at portin order to increase the productivity of each vessel. Increasing theproductivity of berthing operations allows ships to be loaded andunloaded faster, effectively reducing the time spent at port.

[0005] What is needed by both terminal management and shipping companiesis a more accurate, real time accounting of incoming, outgoing andexisting container inventory. A more efficient container inventorymanagement system is needed to minimize the time spent at a port or railyard loading and unloading containers.

[0006]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical berthing process involving operationsof quay container cranes 2200, transports between quay container cranes2200 and storage yards, and storage yard containers manipulated bytransfer container cranes 2100, as found in the prior art.

[0007] The berthing operations involve the transport of containersbetween container ships and the storage yard. Currently, quay containercranes 2200 access the containers from above ships 220 and move them toand from transportation units 210, such as trucks, each with a chassis,or Automatically Guided Vehicles (AGV's). The vehicles deliver thecontainers to storage yards 200 where other vehicles transfer thecontainers to stacks. The berthing process involves three operations:(1) quay container crane 2200 handling, (2) quay container crane 2200 tostorage area 200 transport, and (3) storage area 200 manipulation oftenby one or more transfer container cranes 2100 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0008] The quay container crane 2100 and transport vehicle 210operations are highly interdependent. A delay in one operation causesthe other to pause, reducing the overall productivity of the berthingprocess. If there are mistakes in these operations, then the overallberthing process is seriously delayed.

[0009] It is extremely important that ship unloading of containers bedone correctly. If there are mistakes, a container may be lost for asmuch as a month. Even when found, the container may be further delayedbecause the ship, which has its own schedule, may already have left.This can render the cargo in a container worthless. For example, thecontainer may hold seafood or other perishable products, which a delayof one or more months could render worthless.

[0010] What is needed is a method for reducing errors and supportingefficient operation of the berthing process.

[0011]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate typical container codes and theirrepresentation on the side of a container as found in the prior art.

[0012] Each cargo container 100 is assigned a unique identificationnumber 110 displayed on the sides and roof of the container. Thisidentification number is represented in the form of a painted code andID tag. Numerous government agencies and ship regulators requirecontainer codes on all containers. As a result, the painted containercode representations of numerals and letters are used universally andinternationally, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0013] A magnetic tag is another prior art method assigning anidentification number to a container. However, magnetic tag methodsuffers from several problems. The magnetic tag method is not aninternational standard. Magnetic tags for containers are only installedby individual shipping line owners at their discretion. Not allcontainer transporters support magnetic tags for their containers.

[0014] Additionally, a magnetic tag must pass in close proximity to amagnetometer in order for the magnetic tag to be read. The containerpassing the magnetometer can be outbound and inbound. Moreover, themagnetically tagged container can be moved anywhere. Magnetic tagreading provides no information about the container's physical location.

[0015] Another prior art alternative can identify containers from adistance. It is a technically more sophisticated and expensive systemrequiring a transponder tag attached to each container. The transpondertags can be programmed to show different kinds of information in theform of a coded signal when interrogated by a radio frequencytransceiver. Such systems are expensive, delicate, and easily damaged.

[0016] Cargo containers are the individually property of the differentshipping lines. When used by a non-owner shipping line, a containerrental fee is paid to the owner. At the present time, the shippingcompanies only know the size of each container and whether it is dry orrefrigerated.

[0017] A cargo container can become lost for several reasons.Inadvertently, a container is misplaced in a different location (yardaddress). Sometimes a container crane operator leaves a container at thewrong address, causing the container to be lost. A computer tracking thecontainers parked in a container terminal storage area will have anerror in the container's tracking data. As a result, the lost containeris effectively invisible to the existing container terminal managementsystem (CTMS). While this is usually discovered evetually, the containeris inevitably lost for a certain time.

[0018] A cargo container can become lost when the container ID number isincorrectly input into the CTMS. A cargo container can become lost whenthe container ID number is unreadable due to dirt, scratches, beingcovered, or the incorrect label on the container.

[0019] Any of these errors can result in disruptions of the inventorydatabase. In addition, these errors become particularly serious when oneattempts to place a second container into a supposedly vacant locationonly to find the location is already occupied, which further results intime consuming interruptions. What is needed is an efficient way totrack all the containers and update an inventory database.

[0020] It can take a week in a major container storage yard to find alost container. This can delay a ship's departure and/or the container'sdelivery to its destination. Either and/or both delays cost the shippingcompanies money.

[0021] Today, there is a large turnover of cargo containers in theseaports. This cargo turnover makes it necessary to regularly update theCTMS database. What is needed is an automated method of updating theCTMS database in real-time that will work efficiently even during therush hours.

[0022] Today, a known disclosure teaching automatic reading of containerID tags on container cranes, is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,802entitled “Method and apparatus for location cargo containers”, byTakehara (one of the inventors of this application) and Ng. The '802patent is assigned to the same assignee as this application, PacecoCorp. The '802 patent discloses “The system can be installed on cranesto identify containers at wharfside and on straddle carrier cranes foridentifying containers in single or multiple stack container storage.The system can be installed on cranes to identify containers mounted onrail cars in rail terminals . . . ” (Lines 50-55, Column 4)

[0023] “The machine reader, its associated apparatus, and the LDU, arecarried onboard a transporter such as a cart which runs on tracks or canbe steerable. The cart can either be operator driven or remotelycontrolled. The apparatus could be mounted onboard the storage yardpatrol truck. . . . The machine reader can be alternatively aimed by thetransporter, remotely controlled, or handheld by an operator.” (lines40-48, Column 6) Note that “LDU” is disclosed as “location determiningunit” in line 1 of Column 6.

[0024] “. . . the present invention contemplates wireless transmissionof the data from the machine reader/transporter to the central terminalwhere the CTMS is located for real time data updating. This can beaccomplished by a wireless modem, or a communication unit, whichtransmits the container's ID number and its current location back to thestationary central computer which hosts the CTMS program and alsocontains the inventory database.” (line 65 Column 6-line 6 Column 7)CTMS refers to container terminal management system (line 12 Column 3).

[0025] “The identification means is scanned from a distance by a machinesuch as an optical character recognition (OCR) unit to interrogate theID tag and identify the container. It is an important characteristic ofthe invention that an operator of the system is able to remotelyinterrogate an ID tag of a cargo container . . . without the necessityof physically approaching and contacting the container or even coming inclose proximity thereto.” (lines 3-10 Column 5)

[0026] While of value, the '802 patent fails to disclose or teach atleast the following:

[0027] 1. The monitoring in real-time of the berthing process,particularly the loading and unloading of containers from a ship. Thereare advantages to automatic monitoring of the exact sequence of cargocontainers being loaded and unloaded from a ship. Knowing the exactsequence can reveal, and/or fix, ship loading errors, which can be quitecostly.

[0028] 2. Real-world optical character recognition systems occasionallymake mistakes or are unable to recognize the characters, often requiringreliability estimates of the recognized container ID.

[0029] 3. There is a practical requirement for an automatic containercode reading machine to send a version of the image(s) captured by itsvideo imaging device(s) to a remote operator. This again stems from thereal-world limitations of optical character recognition systems atrecognizing the characters.

[0030] 4. There is a practical requirement for the machine to minimizebandwidth in sending the video image(s) across at least a wirelessphysical transport layer.

[0031] 5. There are significant advantages in many real-world situationsfor the machine to have multiple video imaging devices placed apart fromat least each other, rigidly affixed to the container crane. Suchadvantages include the ability to withstand the severe mechanicalvibrations container cranes experience, while providing container codeobservations from various locations about and around the containercrane, which include providing the length of the cargo container.

[0032] 6. There are further advantages to positioning multiple,independently controlled lighting systems to improve the imaging qualityof the multiple video imaging devices.

[0033] 7. There are advantages to monitoring cargo container operationsby a container crane either through sensing the control system of thecontainer crane, or through the use of sensors external to the containercrane's control system.

[0034] To summarize, what is needed by both terminal management andshipping companies is a more accurate, real time accounting of incoming,outgoing and existing container inventory as the container cranes actupon and around the containers. What is needed is a method of reducingerrors and supporting efficient operation in the berthing processthrough the automated monitoring of cargo container loading andunloading.

[0035] What is needed is an automatic container code reading machinesending a version of the image(s) captured by its video imagingdevice(s) to the remote operator. The bandwidth needs to be minimized insending video image(s) across at least a wireless physical transportlayer. The machine needs, in many real-world situations, to includemultiple video imaging devices placed apart from each other and rigidlyaffixed to the container crane. Multiple, independently controlledlighting systems may further be needed, positioned to improve theimaging quality of the multiple video imaging devices.

[0036] Note that the problems discussed herein also relate to rail yardcontainer inventories as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The invention solves at least all the problems discussed aboveregarding the prior art.

[0038] The invention provides a method and system supporting containercode recognition from a quay container crane 2200 communicating with acontainer inventory management system. An optical characteristicrecognition system preferably tracks container movement from ship toshore and vice versa.

[0039] The invention can read the standard universal identification (ID)tags internationally used on containers. Container ID tags will bereferred to hereafter as container codes. Container inventory managementsystems incorporating this invention can be integrated into existingcontainer terminal management systems (CTMS). Since each cargo containercarries a standard container code, the invention can be utilized fortracking of all containers with respect to their history, damage,current location, and use.

[0040] The invention supports operators remotely interrogating acontainer code without the need to physically approach the container.The optical characteristic system further provides at least one videoimage, which is compressed and may be sent via a wireless physicaltransport to the container inventory management system. The video imagecompression effectively minimizes the bandwidth required to send videoimages.

[0041] The invention preferably includes multiple video imaging devicespreferably, mechanically coupled at distinct locations about the Quaycontainer crane 2200. The invention further preferably includesmultiple, independently controlled lighting sources. At least two of themultiple lighting sources are further mechanically coupled apart fromeach other on Quay container crane 2200 to provide length estimates of acargo container.

[0042] The invention reduces container inventory errors, supportsaccurate shipping container plans, and increases the overall terminalefficiency.

[0043] Optical characteristic recognition systems are sometimes referredto as container code readers. Optical characteristic recognition systemsmay further interrogate the contents of a container.

[0044] These and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed descriptions and studying thevarious figures of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical berthing process involving quaycontainer cranes 2200, transports between quay container cranes 2200 andstorage yards, and storage yard containers manipulated by transfercontainer cranes 2100, as found in the prior art;

[0046]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate typical container codes and theirrepresentation on the side of a container as found in the prior art;

[0047]FIG. 3 illustrates a marine shipping yard 20 in accord with theinvention;

[0048]FIG. 4A illustrates a simplified block diagram of the containerinventory management system 1000 of FIG. 3 using the opticalcharacteristic recognition systems;

[0049]FIG. 4B illustrates a system block diagram of the means foroperating 3300 optical characteristic system 3000 implementing theinventive method for automated optical container code recognition withpositional identification from a quay container crane 2200 of FIGS. 3and 4A;

[0050]FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an opticalcharacteristic system 3000 providing container code recognition from aquay container crane 2200 of a container 100 identified by a containercode 110 to container inventory management system 1000;

[0051]FIG. 6A illustrates a method of operating optical characteristicsystem 3000 of FIG. 5 as program system 3300 of FIG. 5;

[0052]FIG. 6B illustrates certain embodiments of the opticalcharacteristic 3250 from FIG. 5 of the container code 110 of FIGS. 2A-Band 5.

[0053]FIG. 6C illustrates positional identification 3260 of FIG. 5 forcontainer 100.

[0054]FIG. 7 illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3332 of FIG. 6Afor generating the optical characteristic of the container code;

[0055]FIG. 8A illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3342 of FIG.6A for generating the positional identification of the container;

[0056]FIG. 8B illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3462 of FIG.8A for generating the storage-location designation;

[0057]FIG. 8C illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3472 of FIG.8A for generating the terminal location for the quay container crane2200;

[0058]FIG. 9A illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3362 of FIG. 7for acquiring the container code image;

[0059]FIG. 9B illustrates a detail flowchart of program system 3300 ofFIG. 5 implementing the method of operating the optical characteristicrecognition system;

[0060]FIG. 9C illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3392 of FIG. 7for processing the first container code image;

[0061]FIG. 10 illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3352 of FIG.6A for sending the optical characteristic and the positionalidentification;

[0062] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate various detail flowcharts of operation3452 of FIG. 8A for generating the loading-operation;

[0063]FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred optical characteristic recognitionsystem 3000 with video imaging devices mechanically coupled to Quaycontainer crane 2200 as found in FIGS. 3 and 4A;

[0064]FIG. 13 illustrates a preferred embodiment of at least part of themechanical housing of an optical characteristic recoginition system; and

[0065]FIG. 14 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a preferredoptical recognition system 3000.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0066] The invention provides a method and system supporting containercode recognition of a container, from a quay container crane 2200 asshown in FIG. 1, to manage at least a container inventory. The inventionautomatically and efficiently tracks the location of the container inloading and unloading ships, automatically updating at least thecontainer inventory database.

[0067] The invention supports remotely interrogating a container foridentification. And automatic monitoring of the berthing process, byreal-time monitoring of the loading and unloading of containers fromship 220 shown in FIG. 1.

[0068]FIG. 3 illustrates a marine shipping yard 20 in accord with theinvention.

[0069] System 1000 uses container code recognition, from quay containercrane 2200 shown in FIG. 1, of a container 100, identified by acontainer code 110 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, to manage at least acontainer inventory. The invention automatically and efficiently tracksthe loading and unloading of the container from ship 220, automaticallyupdating at least a container inventory database.

[0070] As used herein, a container crane is at least one of thefollowing: a quay side container crane 2200, a transfer container crane2100, as well as rubber tire gantry container cranes and rail gantrycontainer cranes. Quay container cranes 2200 are illustrated in FIGS. 1,3, 4A to 5, and 12. Transfer container cranes 2100 are illustrated inFIGS. 1, 3, and 4A. It should be noted that transfer container cranes2100 are predominantly rubber tire gantry container cranes, while quaycontainer cranes 2200 are predominantly rail gantry container cranes.

[0071]FIG. 4A illustrates a simplified block diagram of the containerinventory management system 1000 of FIG. 3 using the opticalcharacteristic recognition systems.

[0072] The method of operating system 1000 will be discussed in terms ofcomputer 1010, controlled by a program system 1200, including programsteps residing in a memory 1020 accessibly coupled 1022 to computer1010.

[0073] The system 1000 further includes computer 1010 communicativelycoupled 1002 to optical characteristic system 3000, which ismechanically coupled to transfer container crane 2100.

[0074] Computer 1010 is also communicatively coupled to opticalcharacteristic system 3000, mechanically coupled to quay container crane2200. The communicative coupling of computer 1010 and opticalcharacteristic system 3000 may be at least partially provided by network1004 through network interface 1030, which in turn communicates 1032with computer 1010.

[0075] Note that in many embodiments of the invention, the communicativecoupling of various optical characteristic systems 3000 may employ auniform coupling mechanism, which in many circumstances may preferablybe a network.

[0076] Network 1004 may employ at least one member of a physicaltransport collection in communicating with an optical characteristicsystem 3000 in quay container crane 2200. The physical transportcollection includes at least one wireline physical transport layer andpreferably at least one wireless physical transport layer.

[0077] Computer 1010 is communicatively coupled 1102 with database 1100.Note that database 1100 may be included in at least one member of acontainer inventory management collection comprising a marine shippinginventory management system and a rail yard inventory management system.

[0078] Note that the system includes received optical characteristic1100 and received positional identification 1150. In certain systems, itis preferred that both received optical characteristic 1100 and receivedpositional identification 1150 reside in memory 1020. However, thesystem may include one or both of 1100 and 1150 residing somewhere otherthan memory 1020, including but not limited to them residing in networkinterface 1030.

[0079] Program system 1200 of FIG. 4A manages at least a containerinventory using container code recognition of a container identified bya container code. The container code recognition is performed on thecontainer crane, which may be either a transfer container crane 2100 ora quay container crane 2200 as seen in FIG. 3.

[0080] The container inventory management includes the following:Receiving an optical characteristic of the container code and apositional identification of the container to create a received opticalcharacteristic 1100 and a received positional identification 1150.Updating a database with the received container code opticalcharacteristic and the received container positional identification.

[0081] As used herein, a computer will be considered to include at leastone of the following: an instruction processor, an inferentialprocessor, a finite state machine, and a memory.

[0082] An instruction processor will include at least one of thefollowing. A Single Instruction Single Datapath (SISD) processor, aSingle Instruction Multiple Datapath (SIMD) processor, a MultipleInstruction Single Datapath (MISD) processor, a Multiple InstructionMultiple Datapath (MIMD) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computer(CISC), a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) and a Very LongInstruction Word (VLIW) computer.

[0083] An inferential processor will include at least one of thefollowing: a rule-based inferential processor, a constraint-basedinferential processor, and a fuzzy logic engine.

[0084] A finite state machine will include at least one of thefollowing: at least part of a programmable logic device, at least partof an application specific integrated circuit. A programmable logicdevice will refer to at least one member of the following: a FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), aComplex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD).

[0085] As used herein, memory 1020 includes at least one instance of avolatile memory and/or at least one instance of a non-volatile memory.Non-volatile memory includes at least one of the following: a writeablenon-volatile memory and a Read Only Memory (ROM). Writeable non-volatilememory includes at least one member of the following: anelectro-magnetically interfaced non-volatile memory and an opticallyinterfaced non-volatile memory.

[0086] Please refer to FIG. 6B for a discussion of the opticalcharacteristic of the container code.

[0087] Receiving the optical characteristic and the positionalidentification of the container may include the following. Determining areliability measure of the estimated container code. Examining thecontainer code image to create a second estimated container code,whenever the reliability measure indicates doubt.

[0088] Examining the container code image may include at least one ofthe following. Requesting a modified version of the container code imageto create a modified container code image request. Receiving a modifiedcontainer code image based upon the modified container code imagerequest.

[0089] Also note that the modified container code request may include atleast one of the following: a zoom-in request; a zoom-out request; atilt request; a filter request. The filter request may includes at leastone of the following: an apply first filter request, an apply secondfilter request; and an align the first filter to the second filterrequest.

[0090] The positional identification of the container as illustrated inFIG. 6C may include at least one of the following: a loading-operationdesignation for the container, a storage-location designation for thecontainer, and a terminal location for the container crane.

[0091] Note that the invention includes embodiments wherein at least oneof the storage-location designation and the loading-operationdesignation for the container, is derived at least in part from theterminal location for the container crane.

[0092] Receiving the optical characteristic and the positionalidentification may include the following. Receiving a packet from anetwork to create a received packet. Processing the packet to create atleast part of the optical characteristic. Processing the packet tocreate at least part of the positional identification.

[0093] The method and system may further include generating a shippingcontainer plan for a ship 220 shown in FIG. 3 loaded by the quaycontainer crane 2200 based upon the database 1100.

[0094] Note that the container inventory management 1000 is not limitedto the following discussion, but is included to illustrate only apreferred use of container crane optical characteristic recognitionsystems 3000 shown in FIG. 4B, coupled to transfer container cranes 2100and quay container cranes 2200, as shown in FIG. 4A.

[0095]FIG. 4B illustrates a system block diagram of the means foroperating 3300 optical characteristic system 3000 implementing theinventive method for automated optical container code recognition withpositional identification from a quay container crane 2200 of FIGS. 3and 4A.

[0096] Optical characteristic system 3000 includes at least two videoimaging devices 3100 and 3110, each communicatively coupled 3104 and3114, respectively, to means 3332 for generating optical characteristic3250 of container code based upon at least two video imaging devices3100 and 3110. Video imaging devices 3100 and 3110 are mechanicallycoupled 3102 and 3112, respectively, to quay container crane 2200.

[0097] Note that optical characteristic recognition system 3000 may alsobe mechanically coupled 3002 to quay container crane 2200. Mechanicalcoupling 3002 may preferably include a mechanical shock absorber toimprove the reliability of optical characteristic recognition system3000.

[0098] Note that as used herein, a video imaging device such as 3100belongs to a collection including at least a video camera, a digitalvideo camera, and a charged coupled array. A video imaging device 3100may further include any of the following: a computer, a digital memory,an image processor and a flash lighting system.

[0099] Means 3342 for generating position identification 3260 of thecontainer may include any of the following: Coupling to PLC unit 2010 onquay crane 2200, coupling to quay crane relay controls 2020, andcontainer sensors 3270. Container sensors 3270 may preferably includesensors to ultrasonic transponders. Coupling to PLC unit 2010 mayinclude one or more indications of container locking, often known astwist locking signals.

[0100] Means 3342 may include coupling 3232 to a GPS receiver 3230.

[0101] Means 3352 for sending optical characteristic 3250 and positionalidentification 3260 to container inventory management system 1000 iscommunicatively coupled 1002 to container inventory management system1000.

[0102] Note that as used herein GPS includes any form of globalpositioning, including but not limited to, DGPS, (Differential GlobalPositioning System). Today, DGPS is the preferred global positioningform for the invention, but the invention can use any form of globalpositioning.

[0103]FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a preferredoptical characteristic system 3000 providing container code recognitionfrom a quay container crane 2200 of a container 100, identified by acontainer code 110, to container inventory management system 1000,refining FIG. 4B.

[0104] Optical characteristic system 3000 includes at least one, and inFIG. 5, two video imaging devices 3100 and 3110, each communicativelycoupled 3104 and 3114, respectively, to computer 3200. Video imagingdevices 3100 and 3110 are mechanically coupled 3102 and 3112,respectively, to container crane 2000.

[0105] Note that optical characteristic recognition system 3000 ismechanically coupled 3002 to quay container crane 2200. Mechanicalcoupling 3002 preferably includes a mechanical shock absorber to improvethe reliability of optical characteristic recognition system 3000.

[0106] Computer 3200 accesses memory 3210, which includes program stepsof program system 3300, which implement the method of operating 3300 theoptical characteristic system 3000. The method will be furtherdocumented in the discussion of FIGS. 6A through 11C.

[0107] The invention may incorporate a number of location determinationmechanisms including GPS receiver 3230 communicatively coupled 3232 withcomputer 3200 as shown in FIG. 5. Note that GPS receiver 3230 may befurther mechanically coupled 3234 with quay container crane 2200 asshown in FIG. 5.

[0108] The invention is preferably communicatively coupled 1002 withcontainer inventory management system 1000. The invention may furtherpreferably include a network interface 3220 with network 1004 providinga coupling from computer 3200 via 3222-3220-1004 with containerinventory management system 1000.

[0109] Network 1004 employs at least one member of a physical transportcollection in communicating from the container crane 2000 to containerinventory management system 1000. The physical transport collectionincludes at least one wireline physical transport layer and preferablyat least one wireless physical transport layer.

[0110] Network 1004 preferably employs a packet based communicationsprotocol, which may further preferably provide compatibility to the IEEE802.11(b) communications standard.

[0111]FIG. 6A illustrates a method of operating optical characteristicsystem 3000 of FIG. 5 as program system 3300 of FIG. 5.

[0112] Operation 3332 performs generating an optical characteristic 3250of container code 110 based upon at least one of video imaging devices3100 and 3110 shown in FIG. 5. Optical characteristics 3250 will befurther discussed in FIG. 6B.

[0113] Operation 3342 performs generating a positional identification3260 of container 100. Positional identification 3260 is furtherdiscussed in FIG. 6C.

[0114] Operation 3352 performs sending optical characteristic 3250 ofcontainer code 110 and positional identification 3260 of container 100to container inventory management system 1000 as shown in FIGS. 4B and5.

[0115]FIG. 6B illustrates certain embodiments of the opticalcharacteristic 3250 from FIG. 5 of the container code 110 of FIGS. 2A-Band 5.

[0116] The optical characteristic 3250 of the container code 110includes at least one member of the following: at least one containercode image 4010 of a container representation 2620 of the container code110 imaged from the container crane 2000. The optical characteristic3250 may also include an estimated container code 4020 based upon anoptical character recognition process applied to the container codeimage 4010. Additionally, optical characteristic 3250 may include afirst container code image 4030, which may be further processed and/ormodified to create container code image 4010.

[0117]FIG. 6C illustrates positional identification 3260 of FIG. 5 forcontainer 100.

[0118] Positional identification 3260 may further include at least oneof the following: a loading operation designation 4110 for container100, a storage-location designation 4120 for container 100 and aterminal location 4130 for quay container crane 2200.

[0119] Note that the invention may include one or more of the operationsof FIG. 7.

[0120]FIG. 7 illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3332 of FIG. 6Afor generating the optical characteristic of the container code.

[0121] Operation 3362 performs acquiring at least one container codeimage of a container representation of the container code imaged fromthe video imaging device.

[0122] Operation 3372 performs applying an optical character recognitionprocess to the container code image to create an estimated containercode.

[0123] Operation 3382 performs acquiring a first container code imagefrom the video imaging device of the container representation of thecontainer code.

[0124] Operation 3392 performs processing the first container code imageto create the container code image.

[0125] Operation 3402 performs compressing the first container codeimage to create the container code image.

[0126] The invention may also include one or more of the operations ofFIG. 8A.

[0127]FIG. 8A illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3342 of FIG.6A for generating the positional identification of the container.

[0128] Operation 3452 performs generating a loading-operationdesignation for the container.

[0129] Operation 3462 performs generating a storage-location designationfor the container.

[0130] Operation 3472 performs generating a terminal location for thequay container crane 2200 shown in FIG. 5.

[0131]FIG. 8B illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3462 of FIG.8A for generating the storage-location designation.

[0132] Operation 3492 performs deriving the storage-location designationfor the container at least in part from the terminal location for thequay container crane 2200 shown in FIG. 5.

[0133]FIG. 8C illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3472 of FIG.8A for generating the terminal location for the quay container crane2200 shown in FIG. 5.

[0134] Operation 3512 performs receiving a location reading from aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver 3230 to create at least in partthe terminal location for the quay container crane 2200 shown in FIG. 5.

[0135] The invention may include at least one of the operations of FIG.9A.

[0136]FIG. 9A illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3362 of FIG. 7for acquiring the container code image.

[0137] Operation 3532 performs selecting a first of at least two of thevideo imaging devices mechanically coupled to the quay container crane2200 shown in FIG. 5.

[0138] Operation 3542 performs acquiring the container code image fromthe first video imaging device of the container representation of thecontainer code 110 shown in FIG. 5.

[0139]FIG. 9B illustrates a detail flowchart of program system 3300 ofFIG. 5 implementing the method of operating the optical characteristicrecognition system.

[0140] Operation 3552 performs receiving a modified container code imagerequest.

[0141]FIG. 9C illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3392 of FIG. 7for processing the first container code image.

[0142] Operation 3572 performs processing the first container code imagebased upon the modified container code image request to create thecontainer code image.

[0143] The invention may include at least one of the operations of FIG.10.

[0144]FIG. 10 illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3352 of FIG.6A for sending the optical characteristic 3250 and the positionalidentification 3260 shown in FIGS. 5, 6B and 6C.

[0145] Operation 3592 performs sending a packet across a network 1004 tothe container inventory management system 1000 as shown in FIGS. 4A and5.

[0146] Operation 3602 performs writing the optical characteristic 3250of the container code 110 and the positional identification 3260 of thecontainer 100 to 3242 a removable non-volatile memory 3240 as shown 5.

[0147] Operation 3612 performs creating the packet from at least part ofat least one sending-data collection member.

[0148] Operation 3622 performs writing at least one sending-datacollection member to a file contained in the removable non-volatilememory 3240 shown in FIG. 5.

[0149] Operation 3632 performs writing at least one sending-datacollection member to a record contained in the removable non-volatilememory 3240 shown in FIG. 5.

[0150] Note that the sending-data collection includes the opticalcharacteristic 3250 of the container code 110 and the positionalidentification 3260 of the container 100 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0151] The invention may include one of the operations of FIG. 11A.

[0152]FIG. 11A illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3452 of FIG.8A for generating the loading-operation.

[0153] Operation 3652 performs receiving a locking indication from aprogrammable logic controller 2010 within the quay container crane 2200as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0154] Operation 3662 performs determining the locking indication from arelay network 2020 within the quay container crane 2200 as shown in FIG.4B.

[0155] The invention may include one of the operations of FIG. 11B.

[0156]FIG. 11B illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3452 of FIG.8A for generating the loading-operation.

[0157] Operation 3672 performs determining a container hoist-trolleyposition based upon sensing a coded hoist shaft in the quay containercrane 2200.

[0158] Operation 3682 performs determining the container hoist-trolleyposition based upon sensing ultrasonic transponder 3270 as shown in FIG.4B.

[0159] The coded hoist shaft preferably uses a gray code but theinvention may use any coded hoist shaft.

[0160] Note that a hoist-trolley position as used herein will refer to ahoist position and/or a trolley position.

[0161]FIG. 11C illustrates a detail flowchart of operation 3452 of FIG.8A for generating the loading-operation.

[0162] Operation 3692 performs generating the loading-operationdesignation based upon at least one member of the collection comprisingthe locking signal indication and the container hoist position.

[0163]FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred optical characteristic recognitionsystem with video imaging devices mechanically coupled to Quay containercrane 2200 as found in FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0164] The optical characteristic recognition system 3000 tracks thecontainers as they are transferred to and from shore and ship 220 asshown in FIG. 1. Each container's unique ID code is optically read as itpasses through the container crane's seaside legs, shown in FIG. 12.

[0165] The container code information is preferably processed bycomputer 3200 shown in FIG. 5 installed on quay container crane 2200.The updated container status is sent to a container inventory managementsystem 1000 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, often located at a central office forthe container facility. The computer 3200 will interface with thecontainer inventory management system 1000 identifying whether thecontainer 100 is being added or substracted from the terminal'sinventory listing.

[0166] Each time quay container crane 2200 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 picksup a container 100 from a chassis or deposits a container onto achassis, the container code 110 will preferably be read. The containeridentification is preferably received by computer 3200 shown in FIG. 5.

[0167] When the container reaches its final location, this informationis then sent to the container inventory management system 1000 as shownin FIGS. 4A to 5, which updates the master inventory and locationlisting database 1100 shown in FIG. 4A.

[0168] All container movements are preferably tracked and updated inreal time giving terminal management essentially immediate knowledge ofall containers at all times.

[0169] The container code 110 is preferably read as containers 100 areplaced on or removed from a chassis. The container code 110 isidentified by the optical characteristic recognition system 3000 shownin FIGS. 4B and 5.

[0170]FIG. 13 illustrates a preferred embodiment of at least part of themechanical housing of an optical characteristic recoginition system 3000of FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0171] The mechanical housing of the optical characteristic recognitionsystem includes at least one video imaging device, as well as preferablyincluding flash lighting, the triggering and systems as illustrated inthe block diagram of FIG. 5. As to the triggering system, it may includea laser photo and/or a infra-red photo sensor.

[0172] Other circuitry coupled with a container crane may provideadditional storage location information and/or additional informationregarding the container contents used by computer 3200 shown in FIG. 5.

[0173]FIG. 14 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a preferredoptical recognition system 3000 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5.

[0174] Note that container storage areas can be individually separatedand not necessarily identified as repository locations located upon apredefined grid, as is often the case in container stacking areas.

[0175] The optical characteristic recognition system 3000 can beinstalled on quay container cranes 2200 to identify containers atwharfside, and on transfer carrier container cranes 2100, to identifycontainers in single or multiple stack container storage.

[0176] Note that FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate at least two and sometimesseveral video imaging devices (3100-3170) may be preferred in variousapplications of the inventive optical characteristic systems 3000 asshown in FIGS. 4B and 5.

[0177] Each video imaging device preferably has automatic focus controlaccommodating both the ambient light conditions and the target locatedat a distance.

[0178] Preferably, illumination for video imaging is provided by a flashlight system. Generally, it includes strobe action to catch the imageduring daytime and at night in the absence of light. The trigger of thevideo imaging device is preferably based on at least theloading/unloading conditions on the container crane.

[0179] The loading/unloading conditions on the container crane canpreferably be obtained from the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) 2010on quay container crane 2200 or from sensors 3270 shown in FIG. 4Achecking whether there is a container to be loaded/unloaded. The sensors3270 can be laser, infrared, or ultrasonic sensors. Today, laser sensorsare more reliable and accurate, but, more expensive than the infrared,currently making infrared sensors preferable on a cost basis and lasersensors more preferable on a reliability and accuracy basis.

[0180] The video imaging device may preferably include both an opticalcharacter recognition process and an image processing unit to convertthe container code images into a standard format. The standard format ispreferably compatible with some version of JPEG.

[0181] Storage location for a container is provided by the invention toidentify the container's repository address. A DGPS unit 3230 shown inFIGS. 4B, 5 and 14 preferably determines the Z axis location of atransfer container crane. Signals of a PLC coupled with the transfercontainer crane can determine the X and Y axes. This determines theoverall position of the container.

[0182] The DGPS unit 3230 as shown in FIGS. 4B, 5 and 14, is preferablyused in applications with transfer container cranes 2100 as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A, due to the importance of their location. However, quaycontainer cranes 2200 shown in FIGS. 4A to 5, do not have the same cranelocation accuracy requirements, making the use of DGPS receivers 3230less preferable.

[0183] In some cases, the address identifier for the repositorylocations in the container terminal storage areas are not adequatelymarked by optical character reading, radioactivity identification, orelectronic/magnetic detection.

[0184] In some cases, a less sophisticated version of the invention ispreferred, where the container location is operator input through ahand-held keypad.

[0185] The optical characteristic recognition system 3000 is preferablymounted on a movable container crane and able to operate in all types ofweather.

[0186] The optical characteristic system 3000 may be automatically aimedby the container crane, remotely controlled, and/or hand-held by anoperator to interrogate the address for the cargo containers.

[0187] The container code 100 as optical characteristic 3250 andpositional identification 3260 are sent to the container inventorymanagement system 1000 as shown in Figures to verify whether thecontainer is deposited at the proper address.

[0188] The information may be sent by floppy disk. The data/informationis downloaded onto a transportable data storage unit such as a floppydisk, and hand carried to the container inventory management computersystem.

[0189] As shown in FIG. 5, the container crane's optical characteristicsystem 3000 generates information to send to the container inventorymanagement system 1000.

[0190] At least the quay container crane 2200 coupled PLC 2010 shown inFIGS. 4B and 14, and possibly GPS unit 3230, are preferably used togenerate the positional identification. Both signals are sent tocomputer 3200 as shown in FIG. 14.

[0191] Computer 3200 as shown in FIG. 14 may also be coupled with aserial communication board to interpret the signals sent to it. Computer3200 may also be coupled with a digital signal circuit interacting withany or all of the following: switches, buzzers, and lights.

[0192] Computer 3200 preferably functions as a traffic controller, whichmanages the transmission of the data through the network interface orwireless modem 3220 shown in FIGS. 5 and 12, which converts andtransmits the signals to the container inventory management system 1000as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0193] Computer 3200 preferably determines which signals are to be sentand in which order. The serial communication board preferably receivessignals from the outside units such as video imaging devices 3100 and3110 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, as well as GPS receiver 3230 shown inFIGS. 4B, 5 and 14.

[0194] Computer 3200 translates them into a form that computer 1010shown in FIG. 4A can process. The removable nonvolatile memory 3240preferably stores the optical characteristic 3250 shown in FIGS. 4B, 5,and 6B, and positional identification 3260 shown in FIGS. 4B, 5, and 6C.Note that removable nonvolatile media includes, but is not limited to,floppy disks, zip disks, and optical disks.

[0195] Assume a container crane operator directs the opticalcharacteristic system 3000. The operator can be provided with ahand-held computer input or keypad, allowing the input of data. Theoperator inputs the data when he locates a target container as well aschanges to other data in the container inventory management system.

[0196] The light and buzzers preferably allow the container inventorymanagement system 1000 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 send messages to thecontainer crane operator as well as allow the quay container crane 2200equipment to communicate with the human operator.

[0197] For example, the lights and buzzers may preferably indicate amalfunction in the optical characteristic system 3000 and/or thelocation determination and/or completion of an operation such asinforming the operator that a target container has been found.

[0198] Network interface 1030 may preferably include a stationarywireless modem unit connected 1032 to computer 1010 as shown in FIG. 4A.It allows the container crane's optical characteristic system 3000 andcomputer 1010 to exchange information. The modem 1030 receives the datatransmitted by optical characteristic system 3000 and program system1200 receives the new data and updates via 1102 database 1100 as shownin FIG. 4A.

[0199] Note that the coupling 1102 shown in FIG. 4A is often preferablya Local Area Network (LAN). Note that each container inventorymanagement system 1000 may employ different LANs 1102. Computer 1010translates the received container code and positional identificationinto the reigning language of LAN 1102. Note that multiple workstationcomputers may further be connected to LAN 1102.

[0200] The invention also includes methods identifying container codeand determining container locations in at least terminal storage areas.The steps can be described as follows:

[0201] (1) Provide an optical characteristic recognition system 3000 ona quay container crane 2200 shown in FIGS. 4A to 5 and 14 to interrogatethe representations 2620 shown in FIG. 5 of the container code 110 of acargo container 100;

[0202] (2) Aim the optical characteristic recognition system 3000 at thecontainer code representation 2620 shown in FIG. 5, generate at leastone optical characteristic 3250 for the container code 110 and send theoptical characteristic 3250 to the container inventory management system1000 as shown in FIGS. 4B, 5 and 6A;

[0203] (3) Determine the positional identification 3260 of the container100 as shown in FIGS. 4B, 5 and 6A;

[0204] (4) Send the positional identification 3260 from the quaycontainer crane 2200 to the container inventory management system 1000as shown in FIGS. 4B, 5 and 6A.

[0205] (5) At the container inventory management 1000 shown in FIGS. 4Ato 5, compare the information contained in the received signals with thedatabase 1100 to verify whether the container 100 is deposited at theproper address.

[0206] Various embodiments of the invention support some or all of thefollowing:

[0207] The optical characteristic recognition system 3000 shown in FIGS.4A to 5 and 14 reliably performs under all real-life environmentalconditions including any or all of the following: weather, traffic loadand power supply variations.

[0208] The optical characteristic recognition system 3000 shown in FIGS.4A to 5 and 14 can read the representations of a container's code 110,determine the current location of container 100, and then wirelesslytransmit this data back to the container inventory management system1000 shown in FIGS. 4A to 5.

[0209] The optical characteristic recognition system 3000 shown in FIGS.4A to 5 and 14 downloads and saves the optical characteristic andpositional identification to an on-board buffer memory.

[0210] The optical characteristic recognition system 3000 shown in FIGS.4A to 5 and 14 and/or the container inventory management system 1000shown in FIGS. 4A to 5 warn the yard clerk if the actual location isdifferent from that listed in the yard's container inventory database1100, as shown in FIG. 4A.

[0211] The optical characteristic recognition system 3000 shown in FIGS.4A to 5 and 14 and/or the container inventory management system 1000shown in FIGS. 4A to 5 allow the yard clerk to conveniently change thedatabase 1100 shown in FIG. 4A.

[0212] The preceding embodiments have been provided by way of exampleand are not meant to constrain t he scope of the following claims.

1. An optical characteristic system providing container code recognitionfrom a quay container crane of a container identified by a containercode to a container inventory management system, comprising: a computercommunicatively coupled to at least two video imaging devices andcontrolled by a program system comprising program steps residing in amemory accessibly coupled to said computer; said video imaging device ismechanically coupled to said quay container crane, for each of saidvideo imaging devices; wherein said program system is further comprisedof the program steps of: generating an optical characteristic of saidcontainer code based upon at least one of said video imaging devices;generating a positional identification of said container; and sendingsaid optical characteristic of said container code and said positionalidentification of said container to said container inventory managementsystem; wherein the program step generating said optical characteristicof said container code is comprised of at least one member of thecollection comprising the program steps of: acquiring at least onecontainer code image of a container representation of said containercode imaged from said video imaging device; applying an opticalcharacter recognition process to said container code image to create anestimated container code; acquiring a first container code image fromsaid video imaging device of said container representation of saidcontainer code; and compressing said first container code image tocreate said container code image; wherein each of said video imagingdevices belongs to a collection comprising at least a video camera, adigital video camera, and a charged coupled array; wherein the programstep generating said positional identification of said container isfurther comprised of at least one member of the collection comprisingthe program steps of: generating a loading-operation designation forsaid container; generating a storage-location designation for saidcontainer; and generating a terminal location for said quay containercrane; wherein the program step generating said loading-operation isfurther comprised of at least one member of the collection comprisingthe program steps of: receiving a locking indication from a programmablelogic controller within said quay container crane; and determining saidlocking indication from a relay network within said quay containercrane; wherein the program step generating said loading-operation isfurther comprised of at least one member of the collection comprisingthe program steps of: determining a container hoist position based uponsensing a gray-coded hoist shaft in said quay container crane; anddetermining said container hoist position based upon sensing anultrasonic transponder; and wherein the program step generating saidloading-operation is further comprised of the program step of:generating said loading-operation designation based upon at least onemember of the collection comprising said locking signal indication andsaid container hoist position; wherein the program step sending saidoptical characteristic and said positional identification, is comprisedof the program steps of: sending a packet from a network to create areceived packet; and creating said packet from at least part of at leastone member of a sending-data collection; wherein said sending-datacollection is comprised of said optical characteristic of said containercode and said positional identification of said container; wherein saidnetwork employs at least one member of a physical transport collectionin communicating from said quay container crane to container inventorymanagement system; wherein said physical transport collection iscomprised of at least one wireline physical transport layer and at leastone wireless physical transport layer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the program step acquiring said container code image is furthercomprised of the at least one member of the collection comprising theprogram steps of: selecting a first of at least two of said videoimaging devices; and acquiring said container code image from said firstvideo imaging device of said container representation of said containercode.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the program step generatingsaid optical characteristic of said container code is further comprisedof the program step of: processing said first container code image tocreate said container code image.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, furthercomprised of the program step of: receiving a modified container codeimage request; and wherein the program step processing said firstcontainer code image is further comprised of the program step of:processing said first container code image based upon said modifiedcontainer code image request to create said container code image.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the program step generating saidstorage-location designation is further comprised the program step of:deriving said storage-location designation for said container at leastin part from said terminal location for said quay container crane;wherein the program step generating said terminal location for said quaycontainer crane is further comprised of the program step of: receiving alocation reading from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver tocreate at least in part said terminal location for said quay containercrane; wherein said GPS receiver is mechanically coupled with said quaycontainer crane.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the program stepsending said optical characteristic and said positional identification,is comprised of at least one member of the collection comprising theprogram steps of: writing said optical characteristic of said containercode and said positional identification of said container to a removablenon-volatile memory; writing at least one member of said sending-datacollection to a file contained in said removable non-volatile memory;and writing at least one member of said sending-data collection to arecord contained in said removable non-volatile memory.
 7. A methodproviding container code recognition from a quay container crane of acontainer identified by a container code to a container inventorymanagement system, comprising the steps of: generating an opticalcharacteristic of said container code based upon at least one videoimaging device mechanically coupled to said quay container crane;generating a positional identification of said container; and sendingsaid optical characteristic of said container code and said positionalidentification of said container to said container inventory managementsystem; wherein the step generating said optical characteristic of saidcontainer code is comprised of the steps of: acquiring at least onecontainer code image of a container representation of said containercode imaged from said video imaging device; and applying an opticalcharacter recognition process to said container code image to create anestimated container code; acquiring a first container code image fromsaid video imaging device of said container representation of saidcontainer code; and compressing said first container code image tocreate said container code image; wherein said video imaging devicebelongs to a collection comprising at least a video camera, a digitalvideo camera, and a charged coupled array; wherein the step generatingsaid positional identification of said container is further comprised ofat least one member of the collection comprising the steps of:generating a loading-operation designation for said container;generating a storage-location designation for said container; andgenerating a terminal location for said quay container crane; whereinthe step generating said loading-operation is further comprised of atleast one member of the collection comprising the steps of: receiving alocking indication from a programmable logic controller within said quaycontainer crane; and determining said locking indication from a relaynetwork within said quay container crane; wherein the step generatingsaid loading-operation is further comprised of at least one member ofthe collection comprising the steps of: determining a container hoistposition based upon sensing a gray-coded hoist shaft in said quaycontainer crane; and determining said container hoist position basedupon sensing an ultrasonic transponder; and wherein the step generatingsaid loading-operation is further comprised of the step of: generatingsaid loading-operation designation based upon at least one member of thecollection comprising said locking signal indication and said containerhoist position.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step acquiringsaid container code image is further comprised of the at least onemember of the collection comprising the steps of: selecting a first ofat least two of said video imaging devices; and acquiring said containercode image from said first video imaging device of said containerrepresentation of said container code.
 9. The method of claim 7, whereinthe step generating said optical characteristic of said container codeis comprised of the step of: processing said first container code imageto create said container code image.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprised of the step of: receiving a modified container code imagerequest; and wherein the step processing said first container code imageis further comprised of the step of: processing said first containercode image based upon said modified container code image request tocreate said container code image.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein thestep generating said storage-location designation is further comprisedthe step of: deriving said storage-location designation for saidcontainer at least in part from said terminal location for said quaycontainer crane; and wherein the step generating said terminal locationfor said quay container crane is further comprised of the step of:receiving a location reading from a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver to create at least in part said terminal location for said quaycontainer crane; wherein said GPS receiver is mechanically coupled withsaid quay container crane.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the stepsending said optical characteristic and said positional identification,is comprised of the steps of: sending a packet from a network to createa received packet; and creating said packet from at least part of atleast one member of a sending-data collection; wherein said sending-datacollection is comprised of said optical characteristic of said containercode and said positional identification of said container; wherein saidnetwork employs at least one member of a physical transport collectionin communicating from said quay container crane to container inventorymanagement system; wherein said physical transport collection iscomprised of at least one wireline physical transport layer and at leastone wireless physical transport layer.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the step sending said optical characteristic and said positionalidentification, is comprised of at least one member of the collectioncomprising the steps of: writing said optical characteristic of saidcontainer code and said positional identification of said container to aremovable non-volatile memory; writing at least one member of saidsending-data collection to a file contained in said removablenon-volatile memory; and writing at least one member of saidsending-data collection to a record contained in said removablenon-volatile memory.
 14. A program system implementing the method ofclaim 7 by controlling a computer through a collection of program stepsimplementing the steps of claim 7, wherein said program steps reside ina memory accessibly coupled with said computer.
 15. A systemimplementing the method of claim 7, comprising a means implementing eachof the steps of claim
 7. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein at leastone of said means of claim 15 is comprised of at least one member of thecollection comprising: an instruction processor, an inferentialprocessor, a finite state machine, and a memory; wherein saidinstruction processor includes at least one member of the collectioncomprising: a Single Instruction Single Datapath (SISD) processor, aSingle Instruction Multiple Datapath (SIMD) processor, a MultipleInstruction Single Datapath (MISD) processor, a Multiple InstructionMultiple Datapath (MIMD) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computer(CISC), a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) and a Very LongInstruction Word (VLIW) computer; wherein said inferential processorincludes at least one member of the collection comprising: a rule-basedinferential processor, a constraint-based inferential processor, and afuzzy logic engine; wherein said finite state machine includes at leastone member of the collection comprising: at least part of a programmablelogic device, at least part of an application specific integratedcircuit; wherein said programmable logic device includes at least onemember of the collection comprising: a Field Programmable GateArray(FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Complex ProgrammableLogic Device (CPLD); wherein said memory includes at least one member ofthe collection comprising: a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory;wherein said non-volatile memory includes at least one member of thecollection comprising: a writeable non-volatile memory and a Read OnlyMemory (ROM); wherein said writeable non-volatile memory includes atleast one member of the collection comprising: an electro-magneticallyinterfaced non-volatile memory and an optically interfaced non-volatilememory.
 17. An optical characteristic system providing container coderecognition from a quay container crane of a container identified by acontainer code to a container inventory management system, comprising: acomputer communicatively coupled to at least one video imaging deviceand controlled by a program system comprising program steps residing ina memory accessibly coupled to said computer; said video imaging deviceis mechanically coupled to said quay container crane, for each of saidvideo imaging devices; wherein said program system is further comprisedof the program steps of: generating an optical characteristic of saidcontainer code based upon at least one of said video imaging devices;generating a positional identification of said container; and sendingsaid optical characteristic of said container code and said positionalidentification of said container to said container inventory managementsystem; wherein the program step generating said optical characteristicof said container code is comprised of at least one member of thecollection comprising the program steps of: acquiring at least onecontainer code image of a container representation of said containercode imaged from said video imaging device; applying an opticalcharacter recognition process to said container code image to create anestimated container code; acquiring a first container code image fromsaid video imaging device of said container representation of saidcontainer code; and compressing said first container code image tocreate said container code image; wherein said video imaging devicebelongs to a collection comprising at least a video camera, a digitalvideo camera, and a charged coupled array; wherein the program stepgenerating said positional identification of said container is furthercomprised of at least one member of the collection comprising theprogram steps of: generating a loading-operation designation for saidcontainer; generating a storage-location designation for said container;and generating a terminal location for said quay container crane;wherein the program step generating said loading-operation is furthercomprised of at least one member of the collection comprising theprogram steps of: receiving a locking indication from a programmablelogic controller within said quay container crane; and determining saidlocking indication from a relay network within said quay containercrane; wherein the program step generating said loading-operation isfurther comprised of at least one member of the collection comprisingthe program steps of: determining a container hoist position based uponsensing a gray-coded hoist shaft in said quay container crane; anddetermining said container hoist position based upon sensing anultrasonic transponder; and wherein the program step generating saidloading-operation is further comprised of the program step of:generating said loading-operation designation based upon at least onemember of the collection comprising said locking signal indication andsaid container hoist position.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, whereinthe program step acquiring said container code image is furthercomprised of the at least one member of the collection comprising theprogram steps of: selecting a first of at least two of said videoimaging devices; and acquiring said container code image from said firstvideo imaging device of said container representation of said containercode.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the program step generatingsaid optical characteristic of said container code is further comprisedof the program step of: processing said first container code image tocreate said container code image.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, furthercomprised of the program step of: receiving a modified container codeimage request; and wherein the program step processing said firstcontainer code image is further comprised of the program step of:processing said first container code image based upon said modifiedcontainer code image request to create said container code image. 21.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the program step generating saidstorage-location designation is further comprised the program step of:deriving said storage-location designation for said container at leastin part from said terminal location for said quay container crane;wherein the program step generating said terminal location for said quaycontainer crane is further comprised of the program step of: receiving alocation reading from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver tocreate at least in part said terminal location for said quay containercrane; wherein said GPS receiver is mechanically coupled with said quaycontainer crane.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the program stepsending said optical characteristic and said positional identification,is comprised of the program steps of: sending a packet from a network tocreate a received packet; and creating said packet from at least part ofat least one member of a sending-data collection; wherein saidsending-data collection is comprised of said optical characteristic ofsaid container code and said positional identification of saidcontainer; wherein said network employs at least one member of aphysical transport collection in communicating from said quay containercrane to container inventory management system; wherein said physicaltransport collection is comprised of at least one wireline physicaltransport layer and at least one wireless physical transport layer. 23.The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the program step sending said opticalcharacteristic and said positional identification, is comprised of atleast one member of the collection comprising the program steps of:writing said optical characteristic of said container code and saidpositional identification of said container to a removable non-volatilememory; writing at least one member of said sending-data collection to afile contained in said removable non-volatile memory; and writing atleast one member of said sending-data collection to a record containedin said removable non-volatile memory.
 24. A method providing containercode recognition from a quay container crane of a container identifiedby a container code to a container inventory management system,comprising the steps of: generating an optical characteristic of saidcontainer code based upon at least two video imaging devicesmechanically coupled to said quay container crane; generating apositional identification of said container; and sending said opticalcharacteristic of said container code and said positional identificationof said container to said container inventory management system; whereinthe step generating said optical characteristic of said container codeis comprised of the steps of: acquiring at least one container codeimage of a container representation of said container code imaged fromsaid video imaging device; and applying an optical character recognitionprocess to said container code image to create an estimated containercode; acquiring a first container code image from said video imagingdevice of said container representation of said container code; andcompressing said first container code image to create said containercode image; wherein each of said video imaging devices belongs to acollection comprising at least a video camera, a digital video camera,and a charged coupled array; wherein the step generating said positionalidentification of said container is further comprised of at least onemember of the collection comprising the steps of: generating aloading-operation designation for said container; generating astorage-location designation for said container; and generating aterminal location for said quay container crane; wherein the stepgenerating said loading-operation is further comprised of at least onemember of the collection comprising the steps of: receiving a lockingindication from a programmable logic controller within said quaycontainer crane; and determining said locking indication from a relaynetwork within said quay container crane; wherein the step generatingsaid loading-operation is further comprised of at least one member ofthe collection comprising the steps of: determining a container hoistposition based upon sensing a gray-coded hoist shaft in said quaycontainer crane; and determining said container hoist position basedupon sensing an ultrasonic transponder; and wherein the step generatingsaid loading-operation is further comprised of the step of: generatingsaid loading-operation designation based upon at least one member of thecollection comprising said locking signal indication and said containerhoist position; wherein the step sending said optical characteristic andsaid positional identification, is comprised of the steps of: sending apacket from a network to create a received packet; and creating saidpacket from at least part of at least one member of a sending-datacollection; wherein said sending-data collection is comprised of saidoptical characteristic of said container code and said positionalidentification of said container; wherein said network employs at leastone member of a physical transport collection in communicating from saidquay container crane to container inventory management system; whereinsaid physical transport collection is comprised of at least one wirelinephysical transport layer and at least one wireless physical transportlayer.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:receiving a modified container code image request; and wherein the stepacquiring said container code image is further comprised of the at leastone member of the collection comprising the steps of: selecting a firstof at least two of said video imaging devices; and acquiring saidcontainer code image from said first video imaging device of saidcontainer representation of said container code; wherein the stepgenerating said optical characteristic of said container code iscomprised of the step of: processing said first container code image tocreate said container code image; and wherein the step processing saidfirst container code image is comprised of the step of: processing saidfirst container code image based upon said modified container code imagerequest to create said container code image.
 26. The method of claim 24,wherein the step generating said storage-location designation is furthercomprised the step of: deriving said storage-location designation forsaid container at least in part from said terminal location for saidquay container crane; and wherein the step generating said terminallocation for said quay container crane is further comprised of the stepof: receiving a location reading from a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver to create at least in part said terminal location for said quaycontainer crane; wherein said GPS receiver is mechanically coupled withsaid quay container crane.
 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the stepsending said optical characteristic and said positional identification,is comprised of at least one member of the collection comprising thesteps of: writing said optical characteristic of said container code andsaid positional identification of said container to a removablenon-volatile memory; writing at least one member of said sending-datacollection to a file contained in said removable non-volatile memory;and writing at least one member of said sending-data collection to arecord contained in said removable non-volatile memory.
 28. A programsystem implementing the method of claim 24 by controlling a computerthrough a collection of program steps implementing the steps of claim24, wherein said program steps reside in a memory accessibly coupledwith said computer.
 29. A system implementing the method of claim 24,comprising a means implementing each of the steps of claim
 24. 30. Thesystem of claim 29, wherein at least one of said means of claim 29 iscomprised of at least one member of the collection comprising: aninstruction processor, an inferential processor, a finite state machine,and a memory; wherein said instruction processor includes at least onemember of the collection comprising: a Single Instruction SingleDatapath (SISD) processor, a Single Instruction Multiple Datapath (SIMD)processor, a Multiple Instruction Single Datapath (MISD) processor, aMultiple Instruction Multiple Datapath (MIMD) processor, a ComplexInstruction Set Computer (CISC), a Reduced Instruction Set Computer(RISC) and a Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) computer; wherein saidinferential processor includes at least one member of the collectioncomprising: a rule-based inferential processor, a constraint-basedinferential processor, and a fuzzy logic engine; wherein said finitestate machine includes at least one member of the collection comprising:at least part of a programmable logic device, at least part of anapplication specific integrated circuit; wherein said programmable logicdevice includes at least one member of the collection comprising: aField Programmable Gate Array(FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD),a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD); wherein said memory includesat least one member of the collection comprising: a volatile memory anda non-volatile memory; wherein said non-volatile memory includes atleast one member of the collection comprising: a writeable non-volatilememory and a Read Only Memory (ROM); wherein said writeable non-volatilememory includes at least one member of the collection comprising: anelectro-magnetically interfaced non-volatile memory and an opticallyinterfaced non-volatile memory.